A man has thanked a police officer for "saving his life" after he plunged a knife into his chest in a suicide attempt on his ex-wife's doorstep.

Police were called to a scene likened to something from a "horror movie" at an address off Queen Street, Great Harwood, where Paul Foley lay seriously injured.

PC Graham Hartley administered first aid and talked to him to stop him slipping out of consciousness, although he said he wasn't a hero and was just doing his job.

But, Chief Inspector Terry Woods said the officer's prompt and decisive actions had clearly saved the man's life.

The 36-year-old had been camping with his three children when he suddenly became "filled with rage" and ran to his Great Harwood home to get a knife.

He picked up a four-inch steak knife and drove to his estranged wife's house.

Mr Foley described banging on the front window before saying "I've got a present for you" and turning the knife on himself. He said: "I was aiming for my heart. I couldn't cope with the pain of the break-up any longer.

"I don't know how I missed but I did. I didn't think it had gone in so I pulled it out and then the blood started pouring out.

"On two occasions that night I thought I had died. I'm not proud of what I did because of the people I have hurt.

"I regret it in some ways but I also think if I hadn't have done it then I wouldn't be where I am now, moving on with my life and looking forward to the future."

He thanked the officer for "saving his life" and said: "The actions of the policeman saved my life and I'm eternally thankful to him for that.

"I am glad I am here because it means I get a second chance.

"I'm going to be a grandad for the first time and I have a lot to look forward to.

"I also want to apologise to the officers and my family for what I put them through."

PC Hartley administered first aid after being called to the incident on October 6 at around 2.30am.

PC Hartley, who lives in Blackburn, said: "In the front garden there was pools of blood. It was oozing out of a small wound.

"I saw the knife and kicked it out of the way so he couldn't get hold of it again.

"I put his jumper on the wound and applied pressure to stop the bleeding.

"The hospital staff told me what I did helped to save his life.

"I went to see Paul in hospital and he said thanks for saving my life."